Punt blocks a specialty for juco transfer

Ford started developing this specialized skill in high school, and at one point he was almost unstoppable.

“I had like six in one practice,” he said.

Ford blocked a punt Saturday in his first game as a Jayhawk, then recovered the ball to give KU possession at the 7-yard line. He also delivered a knockout block on a punt return, making him an early contender for the title of special teams ace.

Ford doesn’t shy away from that label, even though he aspires to contribute on offense as well.

“Of course I would like to start on offense, because I came here to be a receiver,” said Ford, a transfer from Arizona Western Community College. “Helping a team in any way possible is the most important thing as of right now, since I’m not starting.

“Special teams is what I can do, and I know I’m good at punt block, especially.”

The secret is in the timing, Ford said.

“Before the center hikes the ball, he lifts it up a little,” he said. “That’s what I react to, instead of when he actually hikes it. Half the time I’m just hoping I don’t get called offsides.”

Ford will have competition Saturday from Rice linebacker Cameron Nwosu, who set an NCAA record by blocking three extra points last week against UCLA.

MCKINNEY DELAYED AGAIN

KU can cancel the welcome party for Ty McKinney, assuming one was planned in the first place.

McKinney, a transfer from Trinity Valley (Texas) College, will wait until January to enroll at KU, coach Charlie Weis announced Thursday. The previous plan was for McKinney to arrive at KU on Friday after completing his last final exam, but Weis said the defensive tackle "believes that any attempt to catch up academically at KU would be futile" this far into the fall semester.

Weis had been adamant that McKinney would play this season, but the timeline for his arrival has been extended several times. Under the current arrangement, he will enroll mid-year and still have two seasons to play at KU.

McKinney will take extra junior college classes to prepare for his courses at KU, Weis said.

KU CONNECTIONS

Saturday will be a homecoming of sorts for several members of the Rice coaching staff.

Offensive coordinator John Reagan spent five years at KU as the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator before joining the Rice staff in 2010.

Three former Jayhawks — Ryan Cantrell, Adrian Mayes and A.J. Steward — serve as graduate assistants. Cantrell and Mayes were starting offensive linemen during Reagan’s tenure at KU, while Steward was a senior tight end last season.

Jared Kaaiohelo, Rice’s strength coach, also spent three years at KU and was an assistant strength and conditioning coach during the Jayhawks’ Orange Bowl season.

QUICK KICKS

■ Saturday’s game matches two teams that finished in the bottom 10 nationally in total defense last season. The Jayhawks were last at 516 yards per game, and Rice was 111th at 462. Among Bowl Subdivision teams who played last week, only Marshall (655 yards against West Virginia) allowed more yards than the Owls, who surrendered 646 against UCLA.

■ The only other meeting between KU and Rice occurred in the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl. The Jayhawks, led by quarterback John Hadl, prevailed 33-7 for their first bowl win.

■ Rice has gone 309 games without a kickoff return for a touchdown and 167 games without a punt return touchdown, the two longest streaks in the country.

■ The Owls employ a nickel defense as their base set, using four linemen, two linebackers and three safeties.